Over 2,500 tonnes of free rice to be distributed nationwide

The
2,568 metric tonnes of rice donated by the Chinese government to The Gambia
would be given free of charge across the seven regions of the country.

“The
rice will be freely distributed across the seven regions of The Gambia, mainly
to the less privileged,” Agriculture Minister Omar A. Jalllow said on Friday at
the handing over of the Chinese government donated rice held at the Gambia Ports
Authority in Banjul.

The
first consignment of 1,308 metric tonnes was presented to the acting vice
president of The Gambia, Aja Fatoumatta Jallow-Tambajang, who is also the
minister of women’s affairs.

The
remaining consignment of 1,260 metric tonnes is due in Banjul before end of
next month, July.

Speaking
on the occasion, the agriculture minister said The Gambia continues to regard
the Peoples Republic of China with high esteem and considers its government and
people as a strategic ally in various fields of endeavour.

“The
donation of 2,568 metric tonnes of rice, the staple food of The Gambia, is a
clear demonstration of the government of China’s commitment to the welfare of
the Gambian people,” he said.

“It
is a further manifestation of the wide-ranging bilateral and economic ties
between our two countries, as well as our close collaboration at the
international and regional levels on matters of security, peace and
development.”

The
agric minister said the donation is a goodwill gesture to complement the
efforts of The Gambia government in ensuring food sufficiency and security.

Receiving
the donation on behalf of the Gambian leader, Madam Jallow-Tambajang expressed
appreciation to the Chinese authorities “for the gracious gesture of this
magnitude”.

She
assured the Chinese government, through its embassy in Gambia, of Banjul
government’s commitment to further strengthen the bilateral relations “for the
mutual benefit of our two peoples”.

Chinese
Ambassador to The Gambia Zhang Jiming said the food aid in the form of rice
donation was announced by President Xi Jinping’s special envoy, Mr. Ma Peihua,
during his visit to The Gambia in February.

“Travelling
thousands of miles from China, the paddy rice is a symbol of China-Gambia
agricultural cooperation; it conveys goodwill, friendliness and compassion of
the people of China to the brotherly people of The Gambia and renders China
strong support to the endeavour by the Gambian people to achieve food
sufficiency and security.”

“I
hope it could help Gambian brothers and sisters to tide over the rainy season
and embrace a bumper harvest.”